Rotelli Exhibition

Famous Italian artist Marco Nereo Rotelli will join Sioux poet Darren M. Grine in an exhibition at RMCAD entitled, "Poetic Crossings." As part of his time here, Rotelli will direct 130 elementary school students in the painting of a 40-yard canvas with a visual translation of Grine's poetry.

Rotelli is a native of Venice where he originally studied to be an architect before becoming an artist. He has exhibited in major international museums, galleries and shows, including the 1st Beijing Biennial, the Petit Palais in Paris, and the 51st Venice Biennial where he was awarded the silver plaque of the president of the Republic. He has also done an installation on the Champs Elysées, and one for the Louis Vuitton Company. He specializes in integrating poetry into his work, much as he will here.

Grine is a member of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe. He has been writing Native American poetry since 2004, and his influences derive from his Sioux heritage, history and culture. His poetry has been published in Poet Tree Magazine and the Sota Iya Ye Yapi newspaper.

Rotelli and Grine will team up for a performance piece at Denver's Tattered Cover Bookstore, as well as the canvas painting which will involve students from Denver’s brand-new Mathematics and Science Leadership Academy. The students' participation will show them the useful aspects of art and give them the chance to use their skills in a creative way.

When it's complete, the canvas will be on display in the gallery along with 50 petite paintings from Rotelli centered around the concept of cultural empowerment.

Wednesday, September 9, 7:30pm: Tattered Cover Bookstore (on Colfax)
While Darren M. Grine reads from his work, Marco Nereo Rotelli will visually translate the poems onto scrolls in a performance piece called, "Poetry Crossings."

Thursday, September 10: Denver's Math and Science Leadership Academy
Rotelli and Grine will collaborate with 130 students from the Academy to paint the 40-yard canvas in a project called "Colour Crossings."

Friday, September 11, 6-9pm: Philip J. Steele Gallery
Opening reception for "Languages Crossings," the RMCAD portion of the exhibition.